Joyous Celebration

Bio

Joyous Celebration began in 1994, when Mthunzi Namba, Jabu Hlongwane and Lindelani Mkhize met at a Durban concert and set about building a contemporary gospel ensemble; the name arrived in 1996, marking South Africa's transition to democracy. A 1997 debut intended as a one-off became an annual institution: rotating vocalists, a live audience, and a new volume nearly every year, recorded at the country's biggest venues.

The numbers track the reach. Vol. 9 (2005) went double platinum; Vol. 19: Back to the Cross (2015) entered the South African album chart at No. 1 and passed 51,000 copies for platinum. The group holds 15 South African Music Awards among more than 20 honours, and signed with Universal Music and Motown Gospel in March 2021. Recent volumes keep the pace — Vol. 27 in twin 2023 editions from Emperors Palace, Vol. 28 in dual sets from the Durban ICC.

Verified facts

• Founded in 1994 by Mthunzi Namba, Jabu Hlongwane and Lindelani Mkhize, taking the name Joyous Celebration in 1996 to mark South Africa's transition to democracy.Wikipedia
• Has won 15 South African Music Awards, plus 2 Metro FM Music Awards, 2 Crown Gospel Awards, 2 One Gospel Awards and 1 Africa Gospel Music Award.Wikipedia
• Vol. 19: Back to the Cross (2015) reached No. 1 on the South African album chart and was certified platinum with over 51,000 copies sold.Wikipedia
• Vol. 9 (2005) was certified double platinum in South Africa.Wikipedia
• Signed with Universal Music and Motown Gospel in March 2021.Wikipedia
• The three founders met at a concert in Durban, and the group's 1997 debut album was intended as a one-off project before audience demand made the recordings annual.Wikipedia
• Vol. 27 was released in two 2023 editions, Victory and Hope, recorded at Emperors Palace, and Vol. 28 followed in two sets recorded at the Durban ICC.Wikipedia

Notable work

• Vol. 19: Back to the Cross (2015)
• Vol. 21: Heal Our Land (2017)
• Vol. 9 (2005)
• A Joyous Christmas (2018)

Categories

Music & Links